Last week in the Sunday Brew newsletter, I wrote about the recommendations of downtown revitalization consultant Jeff Siegler, who spent time in Hopkinsville to meet with local stakeholders and see for himself what’s working and what’s lacking in the heart of town.
Siegler’s wrap-up report included five key recommendations: raise standards, improve appearance, slow traffic, determine a vision and take action.
I’ve heard from several Hoptown Chronicle readers in the past week — mainly through emails, text messages and Facebook comments, but also through in-person conversations — who weighed in on Siegler’s ideas.
Most of the reactions I heard fall in the category of, “yes, let’s do something.” A handful were dismissive of the potential for improvements, including one reader who said of downtown, “… stop thinking it’s amazing.” (Alrighty, moving along.)
One reader said he’s going to push the Christian County Chamber of Commerce to prioritize two things — bury all downtown utilities and change the traffic flow.
Another reader said he wants to see a sit-down restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch throughout the week, catering especially to employees of city hall and others working downtown. He also listed long wait times at traffic lights and frequent trains as downtown issues that ought to be addressed.
One morning over coffee, a Hopkinsville resident told me that the community needs to focus first and foremost on the condition of residential rental properties in the older neighborhoods surrounding the downtown business district.
Another person commented that any effort involving downtown needs to “allow for younger voices.”
One message from Siegler that came through loud and clear for me deals with the need for people to gather in person and work collectively on grassroots projects.
An example of that occurred just a few days after Siegler left town. A group comprised mainly of people who own downtown businesses or run downtown-focused agencies met at Hopkinsville Brewing Co. to brainstorm ideas. They’ll be meeting again at 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25, at the brewery for an event called “Litter and Libations.” Anyone who has time to join a clean-up effort downtown is invited to come and bring their work gloves. The organizers will provide trash bags. You can share a beer or a soft drink afterwards.
It sounds like a good start. We shouldn’t let this fizzle out.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. She spent 30 years as a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition.
